Noble fir

Abies procera

Noble by name, noble by nature. Elegant and tough.

A slow-growing but an elegant tree with very soft, blue-green needles and a wonderful, strong fragrance. Interestingly, the needles become more blue the more cold the climate is where the trees are grown. It is one of the most popular varieties of Christmas tree in the U.S. and is renowned for its smell, beautiful, soft blue needles with white undersides and perfect needle retention: The tree displays perfectly after cutting, hardly shedding a single needle.

Origin and climate

The Noble fir occurs naturally in the coastal region of the Rocky Mountains, in the States of Oregon, Washington and California where it shares its habitat with the Douglas fir. It leaves at elevations between 300 and 1500m (1000 to 5000 feet) in cold and humid areas. It can be found all the way up to the treeline and can thrive even in extremely rocky mountainous areas

Growth

The Noble fir grows very slowly, between 10 and 25 cm each year. It takes between 8 to 12 years to grow into a saleable Christmas tree.

It has very dense foliage and naturally grows in a conical shape ideal for Christmas trees, requiring very little pruning.

In its natural range it can reach up to 70m, however in Australia, it rarely exceeds 20m.

Tending and care

The Noble fir tolerates most types of soils and although it prefers deep and rich ground, it can grow well in very thin soils and rocky areas and below pH 6.5.

Young trees may be sensitive to heat - given the natural habitat of the Noble fir is higher altitudes, with short and cool summer and year-round precipitation. Mature trees are more tolerant to dry periods and can survive in Australia without irrigation. Potted trees should be watered regularly, particularly in Summer to prevent drought stress.

The Noble fir is a popular choice for a fresh-cut Christmas tree, with beautiful colour and good needle retention. To improve the longevity of your fresh-cut Christmas tree - treat them as you would a bunch of cut flowers. Once home, recut the base and place it in a stand of fresh water. Refill the water every few days - as required.